Operation Retribution: The Training Phase: Paladin Shadows, #7

By Aidan Red

Success is a double-edged sword. They needed fighter pilots for the next push in the fight against the slavers, but fighter pilots were in short supply. Shara suddenly found herself at Greg's side, training new cadets for the growing war. Practice is live combat. Survivors get to practice again... - Paladin Shadows #7

• Language: English
• Publisher: Aidan Red
• Release date: Jan 29, 2018
• ISBN: 9781946039187

Book preview

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THE TRAINING PHASE

Operation Retribution Part 1

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PALADIN SHADOWS SERIES, BOOK 7

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A Novel by Aidan Red

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Edited by Tina Perdue

Copyright

Operation Retribution; Part 1, The Training Phase.

Paladin Shadows Book 7

Copyright © 2018 by Aidan Red

All Rights Reserved

Revision Date 3/25/19

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No parts of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form without permission from the publisher.

This novel is a work of fiction. The characters, names, incidents, dialogue, locations, events and plots are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance of characters to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

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Published by Red’s Ink and Quill, Wichita, KS

For information on other works by Aidan Red, Science Fiction and Fiction, published or forthcoming, visit RedsInkandQuill.com or AidanRedBooks.com

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eBook ISBNs:

978-1-946039-18-7

1-946039-18-7

Softcover ISBNs:

978-1-946039-19-4

1-946039-19-5

To my wife for her patience, tolerance and encouragement.

Many thanks to my family and friends for their past and continued encouragement and assistance.

Greg’s new assignment turned into a campaign to take the fight against the slavers to the source, and Shara suddenly found herself a teacher, a co-commander, the leading fighter ace in the newly named Apache Squadron, with responsibilities larger than herself. The slavers continued to step up their attempts to discover the condition of the captured base, Point Obscure, and Shara valiantly shouldered the intensifying, uneasy feelings, the increasing burden of being the only Talent that can sense their coming . Then her cousin’s fighter is destroyed pursuing a fleeing intruder and Shara, the only one that could help, launches in desperate flight, an attempt to reach her before it is too late.

Chapters

Seventy-Six

Seventy-Seven

Seventy-Eight

Seventy-Nine

Eighty

Eighty-One

Eighty-Two

Eighty-Three

Eighty-Four

Eighty-Five

Eighty-Six

Glossary

Books by Aidan Red

About the Author

Seventy-Six

Galactic date: C.3482.361

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C hairman Sorgat, Merchandise Director Korveel said in Galactic Standard as he entered the large, circular office. He walked around the teardrop shaped conference table, and stopped beside the oval desk at the back of the room. Korveel looked at the Traders Union’s senior chairman through the haze of the holographic information display screen suspended at one side, above the uncluttered desk. I was told you wished to see me.

Yes, Director Korveel, the chairman said as he looked aside from the columns and rows of data slowly scrolling up the screen. The scrolling stopped as the chairman turned his attention to the merchandise director. I do not seem to have an update from Terran Operations Director Ahaar since his communiqué on 3482.353. That was eight standard turns ago.

Nor I, Korveel said as he straightened his posture. I have sent a number of inquiries, but have not received any replies.

Do you not think that that is odd? the chairman asked, especially since he owes us a status on his collection and transfer of the seed families to the new terran launch facility.

It could be, Korveel continued, that he is busy executing your commands.

Humph, the chairman muttered, unconvinced. Has he resumed any form of shipments? He raised his eyebrow and stared at Korveel.

No, Korveel admitted. He has not shipped anything, perishables or non-perishables, since Point Obscure was presumed attacked on 3482.315. He hesitated and watched the chairman’s expression. Rumor has it, sir, that Warlord Prince Kiese is displeased at the interruption in the shipments of slaves.

Yes, the chairman admitted and looked back steadily. But why would there be rumors, Korveel? Why should he not be displeased? Our shipments have been regular and on time for over three thousand turns. He and other customers have built their progress, and in some cases, the expansion of their influence, based on our rigorous and trusted schedules. Why would anyone be displeased when those shipments simply stop? Why should there be... He stopped and glanced at the screen above his desk, then looked back at the merchandise director and pursed his lips in thought.

Since Director Ahaar is not returning queries made to his terran command center, and we cannot contact Point Obscure, you must contact someone at the new launch facility’s construction site, Director Sorgat said. There has to be someone that knows what Director Ahaar is doing and what the construction progress is. He waited.

Sir, Korveel said, lowering his voice slightly. We have also not heard from the troop ships sent at Director Ahaar’s last request to secure the area around Point Obscure. They were due to arrive in terran orbit on 3482.355 with instructions to drop a landing party of over a thousand ground support marines and three hundred fighters for top cover protection.

The chairman’s mouth dropped open as he stood up behind the desk. And no word I presume? No mission status? No—

None, sir, Korveel admitted firmly with a slight shake of his head.

I told him to stop his irrational pursuit of Point Obscure, the chairman said, half to himself, that it would take care of itself by waiting. But did he wait? No! He brought in an attack fleet complete with an invasion force to investigate Obscure’s silence. I told him if he continued, his actions would attract attention and our operations discovered. The attack on Point Obscure was bad enough, but now he has cost us how much more? Two freighters sent to transfer his seed families, a couple dozen agents sent to investigate what has happened there, their drop ships and escort fighters, and now a total of five battlecruisers, over a legion of Marines and hundreds of fighters? The chairman slowly turned and opened the sashes covering the windows behind his desk. I presume they are gone, he said as he surveyed the vast expanse of Casha-Six’s sand desert beyond the windows.

It would seem so, sir, Korveel continued with soft resignation, and it would also seem that Director Ahaar successfully attracted someone’s attention.

The chairman’s shoulders drooped noticeably. So it would seem, Korveel. So it would seem.

I will try to make contact as you suggest, Korveel said in a more upbeat tone.

Yes, the chairman said in return. We will need to explore other, less obvious means to gather intelligence on the status of Point Obscure and to restart those shipments. Have the Council prepare their choice for Director Ahaar’s replacement.

I will report as soon as I know something, Korveel said and waited. At the chairman’s nod, he retraced his steps across the conference room and closed the door behind him.

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Thursday, December 8

Terra

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The lead trooper of the two man reconnaissance team, dropped remotely to search and investigate the situation surrounding Point Obscure, reached out in the darkness and stopped when he touched the wide trunk of the huge pine tree. He caught the second trooper’s arm and pulled him close to kneel beside him.

A rest, the leader said in Galactic Standard. Eat and rest quickly. We are very short on time.

It has taken us three local turns, the second agreed as he opened a food pouch and pulled out an energy bar. Two more than expected. Whoever picked this route did not survey it well.

Yes, noted. Climbing down that eastern escarpment was more difficult, the leader admitted. Topography mapping was too coarse to identify the three separate, sheer drops. It was not good that we lost a full night and half a turn just getting down to the valley floor.

Only to spend the next turn and a half crawling through this heavy undergrowth, the second said with displeasure and took a sip from his belt canteen.

We should be close, the leader said as he shielded the dim light of his notepad and checked their progress. But, it is the twenty-first par of this turn and if we do not find anything in the next four, we must divert to the large lake. Pick up is in eight pars and we cannot be late.

Do you have a meteorological forecast? the second asked as he stowed his rations and canteen. Ambient temperature is falling and the humidity indications are rising.

There was no forecast available, the leader said with a sigh that barely covered the disgust in his voice. And the weather is very changeable in this place. We cannot break our silence to ask for an update. He growled, almost under his breath. Nothing about this mission was planned properly.

I only have enough pack power for another par of cloaking, the second said as he stood up beside the leader and noted his indicators.

Myself also, the leader admitted and switched his cloaking transmitter off. Save power until we see something.

See something? the second laughed. It is so dark my dark vision equipment cannot see. Are we still progressing in the correct direction? My global positioning power failed last nightfall.

Without responding, the leader moved forward and groped his way farther into the omnipresent murk. He continued without conversation, intentionally not mentioning the foreboding he was feeling as he monitored the nearly depleted power indication along the left edge of his night vision goggle’s view.

About a par later, his notepad flashed in its pouch, its soft beeping catching his attention.

Veils up! he said sharply. I have sixteen targets in a wide half circle ahead of us.

Sixteen? the second questioned as he activated his cloaking transmitter.

Move to our left, the leader said and pushed his second in that direction. Find suitable cover at a distance from this spot.

Quickly, they moved and, nearly to the advancing indications, they found a large, fallen tree trunk. Crouched behind the trunk, the leader consulted his notepad again.

This arm is nearly upon us, still moving toward us slowly, he said and tapped the screen. The half circle seems to be closing on our previous position.

The second rose up and tried to see over the log, but the darkness prevailed; nothing was revealed in his goggle’s view. Then suddenly he slapped the transmitter on his utility belt.

My veil has failed, he said, louder than he had intended. He slapped the transmitter activation pad again, but nothing changed.

The leader cursed and then his veil also failed.

Ungood! They can sense us now, the leader said with resignation. Use the pad display and try to make a hole in their line. Go for the lake!

The leader jumped up, turned in the direction of the southern blips on his pad and began spraying the darkness with hand laser fire. The second followed suit. Someone yelled in the darkness; a hit. Encouraged, the leader pressed forward. He barely recognized the streak that shot back and burst in a brilliant flash beside him. He did not see his second fall into the underbrush. He continued, firing blindly into the darkness. The second streak was the last thing he saw.

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SEVENTEEN, THE PEACE Force surveillance technician said softly when he tapped his ear and heard the gentle static. The two targets to our east just uncloaked. They are six miles out.

Path? Galactic Peace Force marine Seventeen asked in response.

Their present track will take them about a mile and a half south of Obscure, the technician said.

Keep watch. I’ll alert USL15, Seventeen said and terminated the connection. He recomposed his thoughts and then tapped his ear again.

USL15. Update from Surveillance, Seventeen said.

Kiile here. What do they have?

Seventeen relayed the information.

Okay, they’re about one and a half to two hours out, Kiile said as he planned his next moves in his mind. Contact Twenty. Have half his squad meet me on the east side of the launch portal in fifteen minutes. We’ll go out and meet them. Shut down all exterior lights and have Launch Bay Control close the launch portal. Squad Leader Kiile out.

He turned his attention to the Q-Ships parked outside and tapped his ear again. Major Mooren, Squad Leader Kiile here. The two interlopers are less than six miles east and heading slightly south of us, Kiile said giving him a status. I will accompany a squad of fifteen and we will arrange a pincer to surround them. I would like one ship for air cover.

MKCC5 is available for close support air cover and we will take TTYF8 up to keep the drop ship from engaging, the major replied. I will advise Major Kooich.

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GALACTIC PEACE FORCE Major Crem Mooren and Lieutenant Franni Kaal were already on board their recondite class corvette, heavy fighter Q-TTYF8, a Q-Ship in the familiar jargon of the Force, when the lights around the launch bay portal and all internal launch bay lights went dark. They could feel the soft rumble of the portal panels closing as the ground vibration came up through the landing struts of the Q-Ship. From his place in the pilot’s cushioned chair, he glanced over his shoulder to his nav-com lieutenant seated in the navigation-communications compartment just aft of the cockpit and the central compartment.

Okay, Franni, Major Mooren said. Give MKCC5 the details and let KKLC14 know we’re going up for the drop ship. Cloaking on.

Ignition ready, Major, she remarked casually as the check list scrolled before her on one of the many display screens in the nav-com compartment. Cloaking on, sensor blocking on, shields are active.

Thanks Franni, the major said as he began to lift TTYF8 through Obscure’s shield barrier.

Looks like the weather is going to get nasty, Franni said absently as she swept her attention across the display screens and felt the first of the weather’s turbulent bumps.

Can you broadcast the maintenance diagnostic codes STSX gave us?

Yes, she answered as TTYF8 displayed the sequences, beginning with the codes for the Mark Twenty-Five mass cloaking transmitters. When nothing showed up on the scanner display, she repeated the next one down the list in her mind, then the next. Got it, she said proudly as the blip appeared on the scanner with the Mark Twenty-One codes.

Way to go, girl, the major said to himself as he pulled TTYF8 into a near vertical ascent. TTYF, give me a heads up display of the target and display the range and closure velocity on the pilot’s screen.

Franni turned and looked at the back of Major Mooren’s cushion chair, wondering if she actually heard him praise her. She had only caught his thoughts a few times over the past weeks and wasn’t certain she had this time. And even though he was trying to live up to his word and be a better team player, paying more attention to their mutual needs as a flight crew, an actual complement would also be a first, even if he just thought it.

He swung TTYF8 south of the drop ship, circled around in the climb and slowly leveled at the same orbital altitude before he glanced back. Franni set your consoles to voice commands and come forward please.

Major?

Yes, please, he confirmed as he reached out and unlatched the jump seat on the right hand cockpit wall. I think TTYF will follow your voice commands if you’re up here as well as he will if you’re back there.

She drifted up beside him and twisted around to strap herself into the seat.

I asked Major Kooich, Crem said, how Casi learned so much so fast and he said he thought it was a combination of her being an extremely talented student and that the colonel always shared what he was doing with her.

He smiled at her as he eased TTYF’s nose to the left to center the blip within the heads up display’s reticule.

She saw he was smiling from ear to ear as she took in the view from the cockpit for the first time; she was not just looking at a bank of consoles and displays. She was pleased at the change in his manner after their conversation last week in Obscure’s Mess, after his stated commitment to making them a team and not just a crew.

See if you can drop their cloaking with that diagnostic command trick that Major Kooich and Leeana told us about, Crem asked without looking away from his targeting display.

Franni had TTYF display the sequence they had received from STSX1 on the cockpit monitor and when she read it in her mind, she suddenly felt a surge of sincere pleasure. She quickly looked at the major’s profile and saw he was still smiling. Then she looked through the canopy and saw the small glint in the distance.

You’ve got the knack, girl. You certainly do, she heard him say to himself, then he turned and smiled at her. Nicely done, Lieutenant. Very nicely done.

She smiled back at him, realizing that she did actually hear his thoughts. She was glad she was finally able to hear someone again, but it was also troubling; she knew it was the first step toward an intimacy that she wasn’t sure she was ready for. Her thoughts warred with themselves, knowing that to be truly in sync and the best they could be required they be linked to each other, but she was afraid. Linking had not been enough when LLGC15 was destroyed... It had not been enough to keep my major alive... She shook her head sharply. Stop it! That was nearly two years ago, and you’ve got to move on! You have new responsibilities! Stay focused!

TTYF, Shields Full, forward and left side, Major Mooren said, his voice bringing her back to the moment. I’m bringing us around so they’ll be on our left, he said for her to hear.

She watched the glint take form and remembered the ship’s shape from the profile files TTYF had in archives.

TTYF, set up a broadside volley from all three turrets, he continued, glancing at her to be sure she was all right with what she was seeing. At one mile I’m going to drop our visual cloaking and give them a moment to consider surrender. But they won’t and our shields should protect us.

She stared at him, his last two comments hung ominously in the space between them.

Okay, TTYF, he said, focusing his gaze on the ship off their left beam. Drop visual only. Left shields full, sensor blocking on. Give them a hail.

Suddenly the